Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 333
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 333 well - filled quiver, kept the pursuers at bay. Just then, Abu Sufyan came up and held parley with Kinana, ‘Ye should not,’ he said, ‘have forth thus publicly, known the disaster we have so lately sustained at the hands of Muhammad. The open departure of his daughter would be regarded as proof of our weakness and humiliation. But it is no object of ours to keep back this woman from her father, or to retaliate our wrongs upon her. Return, therefore, for a little while to Mecca, and when this excitement shall h ave died away, then set out secretly. ’ His advice was followed, and some days after, Zainab, escorted by Zaid, who had been sent to fetch her, reached Medina in safety. It was three or four years after this that Abul Aas was now again made prisoner with the caravan at ‘Ees. As the party carrying him captive approached Medina, he contrived by night to have an interview with Zainab, who gave him the guarantee of her protect ion, upon which he rejoined the other prisoners. At morning Prayer she called aloud from her apartment that she had passed her word to Abul Aas. When prayers were ended, the Holy Prophet thus addressed the assembly; ‘Ye have heard, as I have, the voice of my daughter. I call God to witness, that I knew nothing of her guarantee until this moment. But the pledge even of the least of us must be kept. ’ Thus saying, he retired to his daughter, and desired her to treat Abul Aas with honour, as a guest, but not to recognize him as her husband. Then sending for the captors of the caravan, he reminded them of his connection with Abul Aas, and said, ‘If ye treat him well, and return his property unto him, it would be pleasing to me; but if not, the booty is yours whic h the Lord hath given unto your hands, and it